Barri Appa and Appa
The old school stretches back to 1948 and is a labour of love and dedication.
I join the British Council Library on Bleak House Road near the Cantt Station. It becomes a delight to visit every Saturday. A haven of books and cleanness. A quiet place where boys and girls meet and smile and laugh together. Appa and I go together and register at the same time.
It's an uneasy relationship with Appa at the moment. She is very strict with teachers, students, admin and the rest of the management. The students fear her, respect her and, underneath, a core of love is growing. Appa loves those who are dedicated, and sincere. She is a practical idealist and a perfectionist. She has the knack of attracting the right kind of people - even down to the gardener or cleaner - people who are loyal. She comes down hard on mistakes, but under her, we learn. She teaches us how costly mistakes can be. In spite of this, she is forgiving and generous.
Over in the main school, which specializes in Matriculation rather than O level, I am working for Ms Nazeem. She is in charge of the junior section. A small lady, she is frank and strict with the kids. I teach Classes V and Vi and she likes to observe me and sends teachers in droves to sit at the back of the class. With temperatures over 30 degrees C, I am usually dripping sweat.(Literally).
Appa is angry because my time is being taken from the O level school and I am being used in the other school. She has one of her "blood feuds" (her words) with the management. She is very protective and possessive of me, making sure I am properly treated. Occasionally I am invited back to her place in M.Amin Noorani Street for coffee and to chat about the school and its progress. She depends on me to clarify some of the aims. Together we put together an idea to hold assemblies each morning in the school. Students will choose topics and with the help of class teachers make a presentation for the rest of the school.
The students are enthusiastic and lovers of learning and I am glad I left England to teach such highly motivated children.
Barri Appa and Appa (Centre)
Over in the main school, which specializes in Matriculation rather than O level, I am working for Ms Nazeem. She is in charge of the junior section. A small lady, she is frank and strict with the kids. I teach Classes V and Vi and she likes to observe me and sends teachers in droves to sit at the back of the class. With temperatures over 30 degrees C, I am usually dripping sweat.(Literally).
Appa is angry because my time is being taken from the O level school and I am being used in the other school. She has one of her "blood feuds" (her words) with the management. She is very protective and possessive of me, making sure I am properly treated. Occasionally I am invited back to her place in M.Amin Noorani Street for coffee and to chat about the school and its progress. She depends on me to clarify some of the aims. Together we put together an idea to hold assemblies each morning in the school. Students will choose topics and with the help of class teachers make a presentation for the rest of the school.
The students are enthusiastic and lovers of learning and I am glad I left England to teach such highly motivated children.
Barri Appa and Appa much later.
(Pictures generously donated by Happy Home School)
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